Barcelona are set to pick up the pace in negotiations with Liverpool this week for the signature of Brazilian creative midfielder Philippe Coutinho.

Coutinho has been a target for Barcelona since the summer but despite the player slapping in a transfer request at the start of the season, Liverpool rejected selling him.




The Barcelona hierarchy have been in touch with Coutinho's representatives in recent months and are keen to get a deal over the line for him with Liverpool in the January transfer window.

And according to Spanish daily Mundo Deportivo, the Catalan giants will press the accelerator in negotiations with the Reds with a view to reaching an agreement with them as soon as possible.
 


Barcelona are unwilling to wait until the summer for Coutinho and want to get a deal done with Liverpool in the winter window but the club won’t wait until the end of the window.  

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There are suggestions if by the third week of January a deal is not agreed with Liverpool, Barcelona will turn their attention towards Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil.

However, Coutinho remains their top target and Barcelona are even willing to agree a deal with Liverpool for him in January and let him stay at Anfield until the end of the season.